Heed the Warning!

"The Manchineel tree, is known as the most poisonous tree in the world. In places where it grows, it is often marked with a red band to warn passersby not to get too near it.  The tree is poisonous on so many levels that if you ever spot one, it is better you stay at least a few yards away from it. Its fruit resembles a small apple, but eating one could land you right in the emergency room. It was supposedly named ‘manzanita de la muerte’ (little apple of death) by Christopher Columbus. But it might just be the least dangerous part of the tree."

"The manchineel’s milky white sap is incredibly caustic and poisonous as well – even a drop could cause skin blisters, dermatitis, swelling or burns. This happens a lot with unsuspecting travelers who use the tree for shelter from the rains. The sap is so caustic that even the rain drops coming from the branches can cause burns. The bark is poisonous too – burning it releases a smoke that causes temporary (and in some cases, permanent) blindness. Considering all the ways it can hurt you, it’s no wonder the manchineel currently holds the Guinness record for world’s most dangerous tree."

http://www.odditycentral.com/news/the-manchineel-worlds-most-dangerous-tree-for-several-reasons.html

 

 

The other day, we went to a beach and saw many of these trees with the red stripe on them.  We even saw this woman laying under the tree and hanging her clothes and towel on it!  We spoke to her two friends and told them the tree was very dangerous.  They replied that they knew it was dangerous if it rained, but they did not feel it was dangerous now.  We felt bad that they did not listen to our warning but felt helpless!  There was nothing else we could do.  I wonder if the sap got on her clothes and if she suffered the pain that it would cause.

Does Heavenly Father feel the same way?  He warns us about dangers in our lives and how to avoid them, but sometimes we choose to suffer the consequences.  In Alma 3:26-27  we are told: "26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery, according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a good spirit or a bad one.

27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy; therefore let it be according to the truth."

 

"The Manchineel trees have shiny green, oval leaves and can grow over 50 feet tall. They apparently lure people into a trap – providing shade and fruit that tastes sweet at first but later has devastating effects. Fortunately, injuries have been rare thanks to the warning signs about the tree’s dangers."

We pray that you will not be lured into a trap by the shiny things of the world.  Stay safe!  Be obedient!  We love YOU!